You need to determine your cost and time factored in. Figure how much it will cost you to make one. Now you can sell them for 1.5 to 4 times this price. The selling price should be determined by the community and the ready fund they can afford to buy each one for. Don't overprice them because you won't be able to sell them off. Keep them within range, so people can afford to buy them from you.

This sounds like fun. We have had something similar but found out that not everybody has the same idea as to what a church tea party really is.

Some are just for a social get together and is very simple with nothing to buy/sell. This can be free or a small fee just to cover basic costs.

Ad

Some tea parties are set up to sell "food goodies" for the church or a special event. Usually the goodies are made and donated by members so most of the sales will be profit. Fees can be charged for the basic tea party according to the theme and the general make-up of the church members. Tea and small cakes or cookies can be served.

Some churches have a table of craft products for sale (made and donated by members) set up along with the tea service. Any unsold items can be donated to a charity or saved for another event.

Decorations can be set up by allowing 2 or 3 ladies to set up one table according to what they have to work with (borrowed tea cups/saucers, table cloths, centerpieces, bows/ribbons). This will work if you have enough ladies to volunteer (sometimes a family will set up one table).

Menus can get expensive so a lot of thought has to go into what you can serve for a nominal fee or without breaking the bank/budget.

Judy has posted an excellent site so be sure to check it out.

Ad

Here is another site that has some good ideas as well as "some" menus.

I always thought that "take home" gifts were not a good idea as something inexpensive is still expensive in the end and most of the people do not want this sort of "gift".

I believe our biggest "pitfall" is having to cover a volunteer that does not/cannot follow-through with their project. This does happen and it takes a lot of follow-up before the tea to try and make sure everyone is still on board.

It was difficult to determine the exact cost of ingredients as part would be bought and part donated. Utility usage was never included but I think maybe that is a mistake as there are always several hours of heat, electricity, water that are just added to the church expenses and we never know the true cost or profit that is made.

Ad

In the end we would have to really just do our best and brainstorm as to what "we" would pay for something like this as well as what our members may be willing to pay.